Aiming to ‘spearhead’ its domestic and global sales growth, Virgin Australia has appointed former Etihad head of global corporate sales, Judith Crompton to the newly created Group Executive Sales role.

Commencing 1 August this year, Ms Crompton will be responsible for the corporate, government, industry and leisure sales across the carrier’s domestic and international network.

The position was filled after an internal and external search and according to the airline’s chief executive John Borghetti will play a significant role in reposition the carrier as “the airline of choice in Australia”.

Prior to her time with Etihad, Ms Crompton was also aligned with Virgin’s competing airline, Qantas, as the UK and Ireland regional general manager.